France's Pouille ends Del Potro's Wimbledon run

London, July 3 (IANS) French tennis player Lucas Pouille defeated Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (8-6), 7-5, 6-1 in third-round action at Wimbledon on Sunday.

The match was suspended due to darkness at the end of the third set on Saturday. Del Potro, who had not played at Wimbledon for three years due to injuries, appeared tired in the late stages of the match, reports Efe.

"He was very smart," Del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion and a former World No.4, said, referring to the Frenchman's strategy of using slice shots to force him to hit shots with his surgically repaired wrist.

Del Potro is trying to recover his top form after being away from the ATP Tour for nearly a year due to a left wrist injury.

"In this situation, it's hard to say something positive because I lost, I'm frustrated, sad over my loss, but I still have that fire inside," the 27-year-old Argentine said.

Del Potro became the first and only Latin American man to win a hard-court Grand Slam singles title when he upset Swiss great Roger Federer in the 2009 US Open final.

"Four months ago, I didn't even imagine being here. And today I'm talking about the match, my nerves. But it's true that I wasn't prepared for this. My wish is to be in condition to take advantage of all the opportunities," Del Potro said.

Del Potro will next be in action next week, when Argentina takes on Italy in Davis Cup play.

--IANS

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